Vidyartha, sans two stalwarts, have their work cut out for them
Vidyartha College will have a tough task on their hands, minus former captains Ravishka Upananda (2016-’17) and last year’s captain, the hard-hitting Pulina Gunatilleka. Both centurions, they contributed lavishly to the team total.
Isuru Prabodha, a 4th-year left-hander will lead the side. He is an attacking player with a variety of shots, and likes putting the pressure on the bowlers. He made a top score of 92 against Derananda Vidyalaya, with a couple of 50s for good measure. An effective left-arm spinner as a junior, he has now given up that lucrative pursuit.
Vidyartha is fortunate to have the likes of Kasun Karunatilleka and Medunaka Wijetilleka. Karunathilaka is a dogged right-hander who has graduated from the middle order to the opening slot. Probably, the main spinner in the team, this office had many 5-wicket hauls.
Wijetilleka is a left-arm orthodox spinner who captured over 50 wickets during the Under (U)-19 season. He is currently in the U-19 National pool of 21. The performance of these 2 cricketers will decide the success or failure of the team.
Left-arm pacies are not all that common. However, Vidyartha’s opening attack is manned by two of them – Ishan Sangeeth and Dilan Sandeepa Sangeeth, the senior pacie had a good season last year. The 3rd seamer is Anjula Kasun.
Chaturanga Dilshan is a utility player. A useful right-hand bat and the best fielder in the team, who specializes at cover point. A tidy left-arm spinner, he had two 5-wickets hauls in U-19 matches.
Though Vidyartha did not set the Mahaweli on fire with their performances last season, they somehow contrived to stay unbeaten. They beat Revata and Takshila outright. More significant were their first innings wins over St. Anne’s, the eventual Div. II Runners-up, and St. Anthony’s.
The squad comprises Isuru Prabodha, Kasun Karunatilleka, Medunaka Wijetilleka, Chaturanga Dilshan, Kavishka Tennekoon, Dumindu Ediriweera, Ishan Sangeeth, Navod Dilshika, Chamodya Pabasara, Shamal Priyabashana, Theja Bandara, Aditya Bandara, Dilan Sandeepa, Chatura Madusanka, Eranga Bandara, Kumuditha Perera, Anjula Kasun, Avishka Weerasuriya.
Former Antonian batsman and teammate of Muttiah Muralitharan, Champika Siriwardena is in his 2nd year as Coach.